FYI, LTD has responded to our citizen requests for an extention of time to respond to the final BRT EA -- although their $80 price for each copy of the ~270 page public document still might not seem to reflect a sincere committment to public participation on the part of LTD.

With time to comment extended through to August 21, 2001 at 5pm, interested citizens now have a much better chance to express their views on this construction boondoggle project. Holes in the EA worthy of comment include process issues:

- EA vs. EIS: LTD should be preparing an EIS, rather than looking for a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on this bloated EA.

- Segmentation: Is this any way to plan a regional transit system, segment-by-segment? Planning, going through an environmental process for, and getting approval for the system segment by segment is bad public policy -- and most likely illegal.

And content issues too:

- Purpose and Need (stated so vaguely there's no standard to evaluate by)

- Alternatives Considered (basically none, even though this is fundamental)

- Effectiveness of BRT in improving transit service (unproven, even by their own numbers)

- Land Use Impacts (low carrying capacity per lane of roadway, right-of-way not to light rail standards, impact of eliminating 2/3 of existing bus stations along BRT route, etc.)

Credit for this draft list of BRT environmental assessment issues goes to members of the FoE Transporation Committee and other concerned citizens working on BRT.

This is not directly a Southeast Neighbors issue, but it affects other neighborhoods and our whole transit network. Thought you might like to hear about it...

best wishes,

Kevin

PS: The draft BRT EA is online at:

http://www.ltd.org/brt1.html

====== Forwarded Message ======

Lisa Gardner, of LTD, sent this message to me asking that I forward it toyou all. In case you are unable to open the attachment, I have copied andpasted the information in the message into this e-mail.

Thanks!Michelle Mortensen

Notice: The review period for the BRT Final EA has beenextended through Tuesday, August 21, 2001.

The review period for the Final Environmental Assessment(EA) for Lane Transit District's bus rapid transit project has been extendedthrough Tuesday, August 21, 2001. Copies of this document can be reviewedat the following locations:

The Final EA can also be viewed on the LTD Web site atwww.ltd.org. Bound copies of the document are available for purchase ateither Lane Transit District location for $80 or is available on CD-ROM for$5. Copies are also available for loan at both LTD offices.

Comments need to be received by LTD by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday,August 21, 2001, and can be submitted by e-mail, fax, or letter: